“CAGW members are an iconoclastic bunch skeptical about politicians' promises.”- National Journal

CAGW Submits Public Comments to FCC Supporting Internet Freedom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Curtis Kalin 202-467-5318

May 9, 2017

(Washington, D.C.) – On May 8, 2017, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) President Tom Schatz submitted public comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of Chairman Ajit Pai’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that removes an outdated regulatory regime from the internet and restores internet freedom. The comments read in part:

“On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted in favor of the Open Internet Order (OIO) on a 3-2 party-line vote to reclassify the internet as a telecommunications/telephone service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. This utility-style big brother approach to regulating the internet was a problem in search of a solution, and a massive overreach of authority by the agency. The reclassification harmed the internet ecosystem and created uncertainty regarding the application of several provisions of Title II to internet service providers (ISPs).”

“Prior to the OIO, the internet operated under principles based on the FCC’s Policy Statement of August 5, 2005, which provided guidance for ISPs. The principles were (1) to encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet, consumers are entitled to access the lawful content of their choice; (2) To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet, consumers are entitled to run applications and use services of their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement; (3) To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet, consumers are entitled to connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the network; and, (4) To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet, consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers. These bright-line rules served consumers well in bringing broadband to more homes and businesses, and encouraging the vibrant internet ecosystem enjoyed today.”

“CAGW supports the FCC’s reconsideration of the OIO. Upon the approval of the final rules on Restoring Internet Freedom (WC Docket No. 17-108), a free and open internet will be reinstated, while economic growth will flourish through such a light-touch regulatory approach to internet governance.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.